Sources: Danny Granger to sign with Clippers
Danny Granger informed general manager/coach Doc Rivers on Thursday night that he will sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Once Granger clears waivers to become a free agent on Friday at 5 p.m. ET, he will sign a deal for the rest of the season and give Los Angeles an upgrade at small forward for the franchise's championship chase.
After the Indiana Pacers traded Granger, 30, to the Philadelphia 76ers a week ago – clearing the way for his contract to be bought out – the Clippers were Granger's top priority. Granger and his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA, sifted through multiple teams' offers the past several days.The Clippers give Granger the chance at significant playing time and championship contention.
Granger will be a free agent in the summer, and financial limitations with the Clippers' roster and payroll make it doubtful that he'll be anything but a rental for the rest of the season.
Granger had been intrigued with the San Antonio Spurs and had a persuasive conversation with coach Gregg Popovich, but ultimately the Clippers remained the leader start to finish in the process. The Spurs were selling Granger on a variation of the Robert Horry role in San Antonio.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Granger reached agreement on a contract buyout on Wednesday.
Philadelphia acquired Granger and a future second-round draft pick in a deal with Indiana for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen on Thursday. Granger is in the final year of his contract, earning $14 million. Philadelphia is engaged in a tear-down of its roster, gathering draft picks to rebuild with young players.
An All-Star in the 2008-09 season with a 25-point-per-game average, a combination of injuries and the emergence of Paul George reduced Granger's role with the Pacers. This season he averaged eight points in 22 minutes a game for Indiana. Through it all, Granger's professionalism and character makes him an ideal candidate to incorporate into the roster of a contender.
The Clippers (40-20) are leading the Pacific Division.
Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star reported on late Thursday night that Granger had formally made a decision to sign with the Clippers.
